Counterflow insect trap

ABSTRACT

A device for attracting and capturing or otherwise disabling insects includes a fan mechanism structured and arranged to provide an outflow of air out of the device to atmosphere, and to draw an inflow directed counter the outflow from atmosphere into the device, the outflow being substantially within the inflow outside of the device. The flow mechanism is also structured and arranged to provide an insect attractant in the outflow. The device can include mounting structure being adapted to position the device with the outflow directed in a substantially downward direction. The outflow attracts insects to the vicinity of the device, and the inflow urges the insects to enter the device. An insect disabling structure is arranged with the flow mechanism to capture or otherwise disable insects being urged into the device by the inflow.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/826,521,filed Jul. 16, 2007 and issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 7,752,803 on Jul. 13,2010, which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/806,223, filedMar. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,458, which was a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 09/682,247, filed Aug. 9, 2001, now abandoned,which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/718,643, filed Sep.17, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,249, and hereby claims the prioritythereof to which it is entitled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to method and device for attracting and trappingor otherwise disabling insects, and, in particular, to a counterflowdevice that uses an insect attractant in an outflow from the trap.

Suction traps have been used in a variety of configurations to trap orkill insects. It is known to use screened material to trap the insectsthus drawn into the trap, and to use mechanical, electrical or poisonmeans to disable, injure or kill the insects. It is also known to usefan mechanisms to generate the suction flow, and to use lights orair-borne attractants to lure the insects to the vicinity of the suctionflow. In some configurations, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,196,577 (Plunkett) and U.S. Pat No. 5,157,090 (Cody), a small flow ofan insect attractant is exhausted from the device to the outside of amuch larger suction stream.

For devices using air-borne attractants, the trapping efficiency isrelated to the type of attractant used, the direction of the attractant,the direction of the suction stream, and the direction of the suctionstream relative to the attractant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a device for attracting and capturing orotherwise disabling insects. The device includes a flow mechanismstructured and arranged to provide an outflow of air out of the deviceto atmosphere, and to draw an inflow directed counter the outflow fromatmosphere into the device, the outflow being substantially within theinflow outside of the device. The inflow, therefore, substantiallyencircles the outflow outside the device. The flow mechanism is alsostructured and arranged to provide an insect attractant in the outflow.The device can advantageously include mounting structure being adaptedto position the device with the outflow directed in a substantiallydownward direction from an elevation of at least about a foot aboveground level. An insect disabling structure is arranged with the flowmechanism to capture or otherwise disable insects being urged into thedevice by the inflow.

The flow mechanism can include an outflow channel having an opening, afan mechanism being arranged with the outflow channel to exhaust theoutflow to atmosphere, and an inflow channel having at least one openingsubstantially surrounding the outflow channel opening and through whichthe inflow is drawn from atmosphere. The outflow channel can include acentral space provided within an inner tubular member, the opening ofthe outflow channel being provided at an open end of the inner tubularmember. An outer tubular member having an open end located near the openend of the inner tubular member can be arranged with the inner tubularmember to provide a substantially annular-shaped inflow openingtherebetween through which the inflow is drawn. The inflow channel canbe provided in a substantially annular-shaped region between the innertubular member and the outer tubular member. A portion of the innertubular member including the open end can extend beyond the open end ofthe outer tubular member.

The insect disabling structure can be arranged to communicate with thesubstantially annular-shaped opening of the inflow channel. The insectdisabling structure can include a trap structure arranged to allowingress and inhibit egress of insects. The insect disabling structuremay alternatively or additionally include means for causing injury toinsects, such as, for example, an electronic insect killer, a poisondelivery system, a mechanical system arranged to cause bodily injury toinsects and the like.

A variety of different devices and structures can be used to provide theattractant to the central space for the outflow. For example, a conduitconnected to a source of attractant can be arranged to communicate withthe central space from outside the inner tubular member. The attractantcan include at least one of a pheromone, a kairomone, octenol, carbondioxide, or any other insect attractant, now known or developed in thefuture, that can be carried by an air flow. According to one aspect ofthe invention, at least about 200 ml/min carbon dioxide is provided tothe central space. Preferably, at least about 500 ml/min of carbondioxide is provided to the central space.

According to one aspect of the invention, the inflow channel isconnected to the outflow channel, the fan mechanism being arranged toalso draw the inflow into the inflow channel. In this arrangement, asecond end of the outer tubular member is closed. An annular spaceprovided by the inflow channel communicates with a central spaceprovided by the outflow channel through a distal opening of the innertubular member distal the open end. A screen material or the likestructured to trap insects, which can be a net or mesh bag, ispositioned in the central space between the distal opening and the openend. To protect the fan from being fouled by insects drawn into the trapand by insect debris, the fan can be positioned in the central spacedownstream of the screen material or the like.

According to a different aspect of the invention, a second fan mechanismis arranged with the inflow channel to draw the inflow into the inflowchannel. In this arrangement, air can be drawn from atmosphere outsidethe outer tubular member for mixing with the insect attractant in theoutflow. Alternatively, air for mixing with the insect attractant can bedrawn from a plenum within the outer tubular member, the outflow fanbeing positioned to use air from the plenum to generate the outflow. Thefan mechanism may also include a screen arranged to inhibit insects inthe plenum from entering the central space. In these embodiments, theouter tubular member may include a second end having an opening, thedevice further having a closed net, screen or the like arranged outsidethe outer tubular member with a single opening communicating with theopening of the second end of the outer tubular member. The closed net,screen or the like can include, for example, a net bag supported by aframe. The second fan may be positioned upstream and adjacent the singleopening of the closed net, screen or the like. Alternatively, instead ofa net bag being positioned downstream the second fan, a screen that isstructured to inhibit passage of insects can be positioned upstream thesecond fan. In this arrangement, an annular-shaped cup structure can bepositioned to collect dead and dying insects.

The invention also provides a method of urging insects into a device,including emitting a gaseous first flow to atmosphere from an opening ofan outflow channel of the device positioned at least about one footabove ground level, directing the first flow towards ground in asubstantially downward direction, the first flow including an insectattractant that can be mixed with air. The method further includesdrawing a second flow of air into the device, and directing the secondflow substantially counter to the first flow and substantiallyencircling the first flow outside the device, such that insectsattracted to the device by the first flow are urged into the device withthe second flow. The second flow is advantageously drawn through achannel within the device with a flow velocity that exceeds a maximumflight velocity of a selected variety of insect, such as a variety ofmosquito. The method may further include at least one of trapping andcausing injury to the insects urged into the device.

The second flow can be drawn into a substantially annular-shaped openingof the device provided between an inner tubular member and an outertubular member. The first flow can be emitted through an open end of theinner tubular member.

Emitting the gaseous first flow can include emitting at least about 200ml/min of carbon dioxide, or emitting at least about 500 ml/min ofcarbon dioxide. The insect attractant may additionally or alternativelyinclude another insect attractant, such as octenol, a kairomone, apheromone, and the like.

The invention also provides an insect capturing device for use with asuction-type insect trap, including a mesh bag having an opening forcoupling to a flow of air being drawn into the trap. The mesh bag isformed of a material structured to allow air to pass freely therethrough while inhibiting passage of insects. A flat ring made of a stiffmaterial supports the bag around the opening. A layer of adhesive is onone side of the ring. A crushable frusto-conical structure is positionedwith its wide end at the opening of the mesh bag and its narrow endwithin the bag. A removable covering is over the layer of adhesive. Ascore line across the ring permits the ring to be folded upon itselfwith the covering removed to close the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view, in partial longitudinal section, of aninsect attracting and trapping device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a net bag for use with the deviceillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view in partial longitudinal section of asecond embodiment to the invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view in partial longitudinal section of a thirdembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of a bottom end of a fourthembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view in partial longitudinal section of afourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the insect trap 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, a verticallypositioned cylindrical tubular housing 12 having an enclosed upper end14 and an open lower end 16 substantially surrounds and covers acylindrical inner tubular member 18. Tubular member 18 has an outletopening 20 at its lower end 22, and another opening 24 is provided at anupper end 26 by annular flange 27. Inner tubular member 18 and housing12 are radially spaced from each other by any suitable mechanicalarrangement, such as, for example, by screws 28, so as to create asubstantially annular-shaped channel 30 between them. Channel 30 has asubstantially annular-shaped inlet 32. Inlet 32 communicates with acentral space, or channel 34 provided within tubular member 18 throughopening 24 at upper end 26 of tubular member 18. The open lower end 22of tubular member 18, including outlet opening 20, extends at least tothe annular-shaped inlet 32, and preferably a short distance beyondinlet 32.

A mechanism or structure for inhibiting passage of insects but allowingair to pass substantially freely through it is positioned betweenopenings 20 and 24 within central channel 34. A screen material or thelike, such as, for example, net or mesh bag 36 hanging from flange 27,can be used to partition central channel 34 into an upper section 38 anda lower section 40. Mesh bag 36 is only open to opening 24 at upper end26 of tubular member 18. A frusto-conical structure 41 is positioned atopening 24 within mesh bag 36 to encourage insects to enter but notleave bag 38 through opening 24.

A fan 42 is supported within central channel 34 by a plate mounted inthe lower end 22 of tubular member 18. In the described embodiment, fan42 has a nominal 80 mm opening and rotates at about 3000 r.p.m. Plate 44has openings 46 which allow air exhausted by fan 42 to pass freely. Fan42 is arranged to create a flow of air (indicated in FIG. 1 by arrows)that is drawn into the device through annular shaped inlet 32, flows upthrough annular-shaped channel 30, through opening 24 at upper end 26 oftubular member 18, through opening 66 of frustoconical structure 41,down through central channel 34 and through mesh bag 36, and out throughoutlet opening 20. Outside device 10, the flow of air being drawn intoannular-shaped opening 32 substantially encircles and is directedsubstantially counter to the flow 20 being exhausted from outlet opening20. Power can be provided to fan 42 by any suitable and convenientmeans, such as, for example, batteries, solar panels or line power.

An insect attractant, such as is well known in the art or as may yet bediscovered, is mixed with the exhaust flow 50 and discharged thoughopening 20 of tubular member 18. The attractant can be, for example, aninsect pheromone, carbon dioxide, a kairomone, octenol, or any otherinsect attractant which is known or that may be developed and that canbe mixed in an airflow. These attractants can be held within centralchannel 34 in liquid form 52 by any suitable structure, such as, forexample, an open cup 54, or a sponge (not shown) attached to theinterior surface of tubular member 18. An insect attractant in solidform (not shown) may be held in central channel 34 by any suitablestructure, such as, for example, a clip (not shown). The attractants canalso be premixed with air and introduced into central channel 34 by ahose 56 or the like from outside the device 10. Other types of gaseousinsect attractants, such as carbon dioxide which is known to attractvarieties of mosquitoes, can also be introduced into central channel 34through hose 56, either premixed with air or undiluted.

Tubular member 18 or housing 12 can be supported in a verticalorientation by a support member 58, which can be, in turn, supportedfrom a post 60 set in the ground, a wall (not shown), or the like.Alternatively, housing can be suspended from a cord or the like by, forexample, an eye hook 62 or hanger at the top of housing 12. To capturemosquito species that fly close to the ground 63, device 10 ispositioned such that the opening 20 of inner tubular member 18 is atleast one foot and preferably about 2-3 feet elevated above groundlevel. To capture other species, for example some tropical species thatfly in the tree canopy, the device 10 can be positioned at a higherelevation. Generally, however, device 10 works best when exhaust flow 50discharged though opening 20 of tubular member 18 is directed in asubstantially downward direction.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, housing 12 is removable fromtubular member 18 and support 58 by sliding housing 12 upwards, allowingaccess to mesh bag 36. A slot in the lower portion of housing 12 slipsover support 58. Mesh bag 36 can be structured by any suitablearrangement to hang downward from upper end 26 of tubular member 18 andto be removable for insect disposal. In the described embodiment, meshbag 36 includes a stiff support ring 68 that rests on flange 27. Whenreplaced, housing 12 may be held in position over tubular member 18 witha variety of suitable arrangements. For example, housing 12 may be heldin place by a spring catch (not shown), a detent mechanism (not shown),or one or more fasteners, such as screws 28.

Flying insects 64 are drawn toward to the device 10 by following a plumeof air containing the attractant. The plume is created by the downwarddirected exhaust flow 50 from fan 42. It has been observed that someinsects tend to follow the upper edge of a flow of air containing anattractant. Accordingly the device 10 is structured such that the inflow48 is directed to flow near an upper edge of the outflow 50 outside thedevice. As the insects follow the upper edge of the exhaust plume, theyare led naturally to the suction flow 48 being drawn into device 10, andare thereby urged by suction flow 48 to enter channel 30 throughsubstantially annular-shaped opening 32. Once entrained in a suctionstream, the insect's natural tendency is to fly upward to avoid danger,which carries the insect 64 further into the device 10. The insects 64eventually find their way through opening 24 and opening 66 offrusto-conical structure 41 into mesh bag 36 where they are trapped.

Referring now to FIG. 2, frusto-conical structure 41 can be made of arelatively stiff but crushable, low cost material, such as stiff paperor cardboard. It is inserted in mesh bag 36 when bag 36 is installed.Frusto-conical structure 41 is shaped and sized such that the speed ofthe air flowing through its smaller opening 66 exceeds the maximumflight speed of a selected variety of insect 64, such as, for example,mosquitoes. This feature allows housing 12 to be removed while fan 42 isoperating without allowing insects 64 trapped in bag 36 to escape.

Referring now also to FIG. 3, integral with bag 36 at its open end is aring 68 made of, for example, cardboard, plastic or other low costmaterial. Frusto-conical structure 41 can be integrally formed with ring68, glued or otherwise attached to ring 68, or can be a separate articlesimply inserted into the central opening of ring 68. When installed indevice 10, ring 68 rests on top of annular flange 27, with mesh bag 36extending through opening 24 into channel 34. Ring-68 has a layer ofadhesive 70 on its upper surface, covered in turn with a removable waxpaper ring 72. Ring 68 is structured to permit preferential foldingacross a diameter, for example by including a line of weakness, such asscore line 74. Before mesh bag 36 is removed from tubular member 18, thewax paper ring 72 is removed to expose the adhesive layer 70. Ring 68 isthen folded along score line 74 such that the adhesive layer seals bag68 with trapped insects 64 and frusto-conical structure 41 inside.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of an insect trapping device110 includes an inner tube 118 having openings 120,124 at respectivelower and upper ends 122,126. An outer tube 112 forming a housing isarranged over and substantially concentric with the inner tube 118 toprovide an approximately annular-shaped channel 130 with a substantiallyannular-shaped inlet opening 132 between them. Opening 132 faces thesame direction as opening 120 near the lower end of inner tube 118. Atubular elbow 176 is connected to upper end 126 of inner tube 118 by aflange 178 or the like and extends out from the side of outer tube 112to atmosphere.

A small fan mechanism 142 is positioned within a channel 134 provided byinner tube 118 and elbow 176 for drawing air in through inlet 180 ofelbow 176 and blowing the air out through opening 120 at lower end 122of inner tube 118. Fan mechanism 142 may include a fan with a nominal 40mm opening that rotates at about 3000 r.p.m. A conduit, such as hose156, is connected to inner tube 118 to introduce an insect attractantinto the flow of air being blown out of opening 120. A screen 182 ispositioned in elbow inlet 180 to prevent insects from being drawn intochannel 134 through elbow 176 and fouling fan mechanism 142.

A plate 184 or {range or the like having an outlet opening 186 ismounted over the upper end 188 of outer tube 112. Another, larger fanmechanism 190 mounted on plate 184 is positioned adjacent outlet opening186. In the illustrated embodiment, fan mechanism 190 includes a fanwith a nominal 80 mm opening that rotates at about 3000 r.p.m. Fanmechanism 190 is arranged to draw a flow of air from atmosphere outsidethe device into the substantially annular-shaped opening 132, throughchannel 130, and out through the outlet opening 186 at upper end 188 ofouter tube 112.

A net or mesh bag 136 is positioned over plate 184 to catch insects 164that are drawn into channel 130 by fan mechanism 190. Mesh bag may beremovably attached to flangel 84 with a drawstring closure (not shown),an elastic band (not shown), a hook and loop fastener (not shown) or thelike. In the illustrated embodiment, mesh bag 136 includes a supporthoop 194 and a hanger 196 for mounting device 110.

Fan mechanism 142 exhausts a mixture of attractant and air from innertube 118 in a flow 150 directed downwards from opening 120. Fanmechanism 190 draws atmospheric air through annular-shaped opening 132into channel 130, generating a second flow 148 that substantiallyencircles exhaust flow 150 and is directed substantially counter toexhaust flow 150. Insects 164 attracted to the vicinity of trap 110 bythe attractant flow 150 are encouraged to enter channel 130 by thesurrounding counterflow 148 being drawn into opening 132. The secondflow 148 generated by fan mechanism 190 within channel 130 draws insects164 up and through opening 186 into mesh bag 136, where they areretained. The updraft of air from fan mechanism 190 and the spinningblades 192 of fan mechanism 190 help to keep captured insects 164 fromleaving mesh bag 136 through opening 186. Channel 130 and fan mechanism190 may be cooperatively structured and arranged such that the secondflow 148 within channel has an upward directed velocity that is greaterthan a mosquito's maximum flight velocity.

Trap 110 is also structured to disable insects. Some insects 164traveling through opening 186 may be injured or killed by the rotatingblades 192 of fan mechanism 190. A large mesh screen 198 can be used tokeep large sized varieties of insects from entering channel 130 andfouling the blades 192. Mesh bag 136 may be sprayed or otherwise treatedwith an insect poison (not shown), as is known in the art. A poison bait(not shown) may also be placed inside bag 136 or in channel 130.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of an insect trap 210 isstructured similarly in most respects to trap 110 described above withreference to FIG. 4. Device 210 includes an inner tube 218 havingopenings 220, 224 at respective lower and upper ends 222, 226, and asubstantially concentric outer tube 212 arranged with inner tube 218 toprovide an annular-shaped channel 230 with at an annular shaped opening232. A fan mechanism 290 mounted to a plate 284 on an upper end 288 ofouter tube 212 draws atmospheric air in through opening 232, throughchannel 230, through opening 286 in plate 284 and into mesh bag 236.Another fan mechanism 242 is mounted on a flange 278 or the like at theupper end 226 of inner tube 218. A hose 256 coupled to a source ofinsect attractant introduces the attractant to a central channel 234within inner tube 218. Device 210 differs from device 110 in that theair drawn into central channel 234 by fan mechanism 242 is diverted froma plenum 294 in upper end 288 of outer tube 212, rather than fromatmosphere. A screen 282 in an inlet 280 of a fan mechanism housing 276inhibits insects in channel 230 from entering channel 234.

The embodiments described above include a single central channel throughwhich the outflow with insect attractant is exhausted and a single,substantially annular-shaped outer opening and channel through which aninflow is drawn. The counterflow between the outflow and inflow outsidethe device, wherein the outflow encircles the inflow, can be producedwith other structures. The inflow opening and channel can be morecrescent-shaped if the inner and outer tubes are not aligned on the sameaxis. The tubular members also do not have to be cylindrical. Instead ofa single inflow opening or a single outflow opening, several inflowopenings or outflow openings may be used.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a counterflow insect trap 310 is shown with acentral opening 320 through which the outflow 350 (indicated in FIG. 6with crosses) is exhausted. The inflow 348 (indicated with bull's-eyes)is drawn through a plurality of inflow openings 332 arrayed around thecentral opening 320. The insects attracted to the device 310 are urgedby the inflow 348 to enter the device through any of inflow openings332. The inflow openings 332 connect to an outer channel (not shown)which leads to an insect disabling device, such as a trap (not shown) orthe like. The remainder of device 310 can be constructed similar toother embodiments as described above.

Referring now to FIG. 7, yet another embodiment of an insect trap 410includes an inner tube 418 having openings 420, 424 at respective lowerand upper ends 422, 426, and a substantially concentric outer tube 412arranged with inner tube 418 to provide an annular-shaped channel 430with an annular shaped opening 432. Inner tube 418 and outer tube 412are held apart by screws 428. Outer tube 412 has another opening 486 atits upper end that opens to a plenum 494 inside of an upper housing 402.Housing 402 is generally pickle-jar shaped. A lower end of upper housing402 closes around outer tube 412. An upper end of upper housing 402 hasan opening 486 above inner tube 418. A small fan mechanism 442 with a 40mm nominal opening is mounted on a flange 478 or the like at the upperend 426 of inner tube 418. A large fan mechanism 490 with an 80 mmnominal opening is mounted over opening 486 of housing 402. Each fanmechanism 442, 490 operates at about 3000 r.p.m. A cap 404 keeps rainand debris out of fan mechanism 490. An eyelet 406 at the top of cap 404allows device 410 to be hung from a hook or cord (not shown) aboveground level. A mesh screen 408 is positioned between opening 486 andflange 478 to keep insects 464 in plenum 494 from being driven by fanmechanisms 442 or 490 through openings 424 or 486, respectively. Aconduit or hose 456 that is coupled to a source of insect attractantintroduces the attractant to a central channel 434 within inner tube418.

Small fan mechanism 442 generates a first flow of air mixed with insectattractant through channel 434 provided inside inner tube 418 and out toatmosphere through opening 420. Large fan mechanism generates a secondflow of air that is drawn from atmosphere into device 410 throughopening 432, up through channel 430, and into plenum 494. Most of theair in plenum 494 is exhausted by fan mechanism 490 out through opening486 to atmosphere. Small fan mechanism 442 also draws air from plenum494 into channel 434 to generate the first flow 450. Thus, each of thefan mechanisms help to draw the second flow 448 through opening 432.

The second flow 448 substantially encircles the first flow 450 outsidethe device 410. Insects 464, in particular some types of mosquitoes,that are attracted to the device 410 by the attractant travel towardsthe device along the upper edge of the first flow 450. When the insectsapproach the device 410, they are urged by the second flow 448 intochannel 430 through opening 432, then into plenum 494. Some insects,such as mosquitoes, use visual cues to avoid flying into objects.Therefore, in the described embodiment, outer tube 412 and inner tube418 are fabricated of clear materials, such as, for example, a clearplastic, a clear acrylic or the like, so that the insects will not tryto avoid approaching close to opening 432.

Once inside plenum 494, mesh screen 408 blocks the insects 464 fromexiting through opening 424 or opening 486. Second flow 448 is ofsufficient velocity as it enters plenum 494 from channel 430 to inhibitinsects from going back into channel 430. Preferably, the flow velocityof the second flow in channel 430 is greater than the maximum flightvelocity of a mosquito, or greater than about 6-7 m.p.h. The insects 464in plenum 494, being unable to escape, become exhausted and desiccated,and drop to the bottom of housing 402. Housing 402 and outer tube 412are together structured to form an annular-shaped cup 409 to catch thefallen insects 498.

The insect disabling mechanisms described above with reference to theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 can be used with other embodiments aswell. In addition, other disabling mechanisms now known or to bediscovered, such as, for example, an electric grid, can be incorporatedinto an insect trapping and disabling device according to the invention.Alight may be incorporated into a device made according to the inventionto assist in attracting insects. Moreover, devices made according to theinvention may include an insect trapping device and not an insectdisabling device, an insect disabling device and not an insect trappingdevice, or both a trapping and a disabling device.

The traps disclosed above with reference to the drawing may be used tocapture and disable a wide variety of insect species using one or moreinsect attractants. A field trial was conducted in late August nearGainesville, Fla. using a counterflow insect trap structured similarlyto device 210, which is described above with reference to FIG. 5. Inthis trial, a CO₂ flow of 500 ml/min was introduced into the centralchannel of the inner tube. An octenol attractant was also positionedoutside of the outer tube. In a twelve hour period, the counterflowdevice trapped 1725 insects, the vast majority of which were varietiesof mosquito, including 507 Ae. atlanticus, 212 Ae. infirmatus, 689 An.crucians, 115 Cq. perturbans, and 102 Cx. malanoconion. It is expectedthat further improvements can be made by adjusting flow rates andamounts and types of attractant.

1. A device for attracting insects comprising: a) a flow mechanismincluding an outflow channel structured and arranged to provide anoutflow of air and an insect attractant out of the device to theatmosphere, and an inflow channel structured and arranged to draw aninflow of air in a direction different from a direction of said outflow,the outflow being substantially encompassed by the inflow outside of thedevice; and b) a mounting structure being adapted to position the deviceso that the outflow is directed out of the device in a downwarddirection toward the ground.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said flowmechanism includes a first flow generator that is structured andarranged to create said outflow and a second flow generator that isstructured and arranged to create said inflow.
 3. The device of claim 2wherein the first flow generator is a first fan and the second flowgenerator is a second fan.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said outflowchannel includes an inner tube having an outflow opening at a lower endthereof through which the outflow of air and insect attractant isreleased to the atmosphere, said inflow channel including an outer tubewith an annular-shaped opening positioned above said outflow opening. 5.The device of claim 4, wherein said inner tube includes an upper openingpositioned above said outflow opening, an upper portion of said outertube forming a plenum surrounding said inner tube upper opening, saidplenum being in fluid communication with said inflow channel.
 6. Thedevice of claim 5, wherein said flow mechanism includes a first flowgenerator positioned inside said plenum and adjacent said inner tubeupper opening.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein said inner tube upperopening is in fluid communication with an outlet end of a tubular elbowlocated in said plenum, an inlet end of said tubular elbow having aninlet through which air is drawn into the elbow in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to said outflow.
 8. The device of claim 7,wherein said elbow inlet is positioned inside said plenum and draws airtherefrom.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein said elbow inlet is influid communication with the atmosphere and draws air therefrom.
 10. Thedevice of claim 6, wherein a top plate of said plenum has an openingtherethrough, said flow mechanism including a second flow generatorpositioned adjacent said plenum top plate opening and above said firstflow generator.
 11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a meshscreen positioned over said top plate to catch insects drawn thereinthrough said top plate opening by said second flow generator.
 12. Thedevice of claim 10, further comprising a mesh screen positioned betweensaid top plate opening and said inner tube upper opening to retaininsects within said plenum.
 13. A method of urging insects into aninsect trapping device, comprising: generating a first air flow using afirst flow generator; introducing an insect attractant into said firstair flow and emitting the first flow of air and insect attractant to theatmosphere from the device; generating a second air flow using a secondflow generator and drawing the second air flow of air into the device,including directing the second flow substantially counter to the firstflow and substantially enveloping the first flow outside the device,such that insects attracted to the device by the first flow are urgedinto the device by the second flow; and trapping and causing injury tothe insects urged into the device.
 14. The method of claim 13, whereinsaid step of drawing the second flow includes drawing said second flowthrough a channel within the device with a flow velocity that exceeds amaximum flight velocity of a mosquito.
 15. An insect trapping devicecomprising: a flow mechanism structured and arranged to provide anoutflow of air and an insect attractant out of the device to theatmosphere through an outflow opening of a first tubular element, and toprovide an inflow of air into the device through an inflow opening of asecond tubular element, said outflow being directed in a substantiallydownward direction toward the ground when the device is in use; saidfirst tubular element including an upper opening positioned above saidoutflow opening; said second tubular element having an upper portionthat forms a plenum surrounding said first tubular element upperopening, said plenum being in fluid communication with said inflowopening; said flow mechanism being positioned above said first tubularelement upper opening; and a mesh containment element associated withsaid flow mechanism for containing insects drawn into said plenum bysaid inflow.
 16. The device of claim 15 wherein said first tubularelement is arranged concentrically within said second tubular elementsuch that said inflow opening of said second tubular element issubstantially annular in configuration.
 17. The device of claim 16wherein said inflow is directed substantially counter to said outflow,said flow mechanism including a first fan mechanism that is structuredand arranged to create said outflow and a second fan mechanism that isstructured and arranged to create said inflow.
 18. The device of claim17, wherein said first fan mechanism is positioned inside said plenumand adjacent said first tubular element upper opening.
 19. The device ofclaim 18, wherein a top plate of said plenum has an openingtherethrough, said second fan mechanism being positioned adjacent saidplenum top plate opening and above said first fan mechanism.
 20. Thedevice of claim 19, wherein said mesh containment element includes amesh bag positioned over said top plate to catch insects drawn thereinthrough said top plate opening by said second fan mechanism.